Metroid Co-Creator Open to Making Future 2D Metroid Games, Talks Why Metroid: Samus Returns Developed for the 3DS
In an interview with GameRant, Metroid Co-Founder, Yoshio Sakamoto gave a few interesting remarks about the future of Metroid Games as well as on the recently released Metroid: Samus Returns on the 3DS.
When asked if there were any plans to make side-scrolling Metroid games like the original Metroid, Sakamoto said:
GameRant: Are there any plans to continue making side-scrolling Metroid games in the future or is this just a one-off deal?
Yoshio Sakamoto: “Personally, I’m constantly exploring the possibilities and the future of the Metroid series, and part of that means not imposing any limits on ourselves when it comes to game design or hardware platforms.”
He also answered questions about Metroid: Samus Returns like why it was developed for the ageing 3DS and not the fledgeling Nintendo Switch, and why a revisit of Metroid II and not the original Metroid
GameRant: Why did the team opt to bring the game to 3DS rather than the Nintendo Switch?
Yoshio Sakamoto: “ One of the themes we chose to stick with this time was utilizing both 3D visuals and a dual screen setup. In fact, I’d been interested in creating a Metroid title that allowed you display the map constantly on a second screen and interact with the elements of the UI by touching them since the time of the original DS. The 3DS made the 3D visuals possible of course, and the more powerful hardware allows for a higher fidelity experience—both are reasons we felt this was the right choice.”
GameRant: Why did you decide to revisit Metroid II and not the original Metroid that debuted on NES or even Super Metroid on SNES? Is it because the story of Metroid II holds more relevance to future installments like Metroid Prime 4?
Yoshio Sakamoto “ Metroid II was released more than 20 years ago, and it chronicles the first meeting between Samus and the Baby Metroid. That event is crucial to the story of the series, and I’ve thought for some time that the best way to retell that tale for a new audience of gamers would be via a remake.”
The Metroid franchise has been an interesting franchise albeit being in a sort of hiatus (not counting Federation Force) for quite a while before coming back with Metroid: Samus Returns and an upcoming Metroid Prime game.
